PLUS: HOCKEY

PLUS: HOCKEY; Gilmour Re-Signs With the Canadiens

Published: August 10, 2002

Center Doug Gilmour re-signed with the Montreal Canadiens yesterday, agreeing to a one-year deal with an option for the 2003-4 season.

The 39-year-old Gilmour will be entering his 20th N.H.L. season and second with Montreal. He is fifth among active players with 1,384 career points (439 goals, 945 assists) and ranks seventh among active players for games played with 1,412 in stints with St. Louis, Calgary, Toronto, the Devils, Chicago, Buffalo and Montreal.

In 70 games with the Canadiens last season, Gilmour had 10 goals and 31 assists.

BERARD AND BRUINS ARE CLOSE: Defenseman Bryan Berard is close to signing with the Boston Bruins to continue his comeback from a career-threatening eye injury. Berard could sign next week, the agent Tom Laidlaw told the Canadian Press.

Berard earned $2 million with the Rangers last season, when he had 2 goals and 21 assists while playing in all 82 games. The team did not pick up a $3 million option on his deal.

The 25-year-old Berard nearly lost an eye in March 2000, when he was hit by Ottawa's Marian Hossa while playing for Toronto.